Recent news stories have focused on the closing of the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin, but the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to remind people that the MDC office at the facility remains open.

In 2017, the National Audubon Society announced it was stepping away from the partnership under which it had jointly operated the center with MDC for the past 10 years. When Audubon closes the center to the public on May 19; the MDC offices located at
the facility will remain open and continue to offer public service and educational programs as well as host special conservation events. The MDC office will maintain its regular business hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. During those hours of
operation, citizens will still be able to purchase hunting and fishing permits, seek conservation information and speak with local MDC staff members.

MDC's sole ownership of the building officially begins July 1. At that time, MDC will begin work to develop a facility that will be similar to other conservation centers the agency operates across the state.
The MDC office is located at 201 W. Riviera Drive in Joplin. For more information or to sign up for future MDC programs, call 417-629-3423.

This decorative stone, which has guided visitors to the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Joplin Office for the past 10 years, is still pointing people to doors that are open for business. The National Audubon Society will close its portion of the
facility this Saturday, but the MDC office at the site will continue to be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.